Health & Wellness

One of the most difficult aspects of dieting is not feeling full after eating diet foods such as salads, fruits, and vegetables. But part of the problem with this is that some dieters eat foods in bland and boring ways, like just eating a bowl of fruit or just eating salads every single day. Anyone would get bored with this kind of eating. Luckily there are many ways to prepare healthy foods so that you do feel like you’re eating something extra special and you’ve had enough to eat. Here are four health foods with different ways to enjoy them.

Berries. Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are great sources of fiber and antioxidants. When eaten alone, you may get bored with them. Try combining them with other healthy choices such as high-fiber cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, and yogurt.

Cheese. Containing both calcium and protein, cheese is a great choice for healthy snacking. Enjoy with whole wheat crackers or fresh fruit, or add into omelets and whole-wheat sandwiches and wraps.

Eggs. High in protein, eggs are a great food choice for dieters who need a boost of energy. They offer B vitamins, which help give you energy, and vitamin D, which helps maintain healthy, strong bones. Instead of eating them alone, make a healthy, filling omelet with nutritional extras like mushrooms, onions, spinach, and tomatoes.

Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great choice for dieters, because it contains soluble fiber, which remains in the stomach longer. And oatmeal’s soluble fiber has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by 10 to 15%. Add in some nuts or raisins, or make eating oatmeal fun and easy by making overnight oats.

In Season

Matters of the heart are always important, but especially so during the month of February. Not only is there Valentine's Day to think about, February is also American Heart Month. This is a good time to evaluate your food choices and the impact they may have on your heart. Fresh, in season fruits and vegetables are among the best choices you can make for your heart health.